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Advocates Philippines
Sara Must Face Impeachment Court - Diokno
Photo credit: Congress PH
Vice President Sara Duterte will still have to personally appear before the Senate impeachment court to formally enter her plea once impeachment proceedings move forward, according to House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno.
Speaking on Monday, Diokno said Senate impeachment rules are clear that filing an answer to the Articles of Impeachment is only one part of the process. The respondent must also appear before the impeachment court during a hearing where their plea will be officially recorded.
“Kung titingnan po natin ‘yung rules of the Senate as an impeachment court, malinaw na nakalagay doon na aside from ‘yung utos na sagutin ni vice president ‘yung articles of impeachment, dapat din magkaroon ng isang hearing na haharap ng bise presidente sa impeachment court at doon malalaman kung ano ‘yung magiging plea niya kung halimbawa ayaw niyang pumunta then the automatic under the rules that will be considered as a plea of not guilty,” Diokno said.
According to him, if Duterte chooses not to attend the hearing, the Senate impeachment court will automatically enter a plea of not guilty on her behalf, allowing the case to proceed.
Diokno also pointed out that the rules provide another option for the respondent.
“On the other hand, the rules also provide that the respondent has the choice of entering a plea of guilty during that hearing,” he said.
The House prosecution panel expects the hearing for Duterte’s plea to take place before the formal start of the impeachment trial, which is tentatively scheduled for July 6. Under Senate rules, the impeachment court is expected to issue a writ of summons directing the vice president to appear.
“So inaantay din natin at kung magiging batayan natin ay ‘yung rules, dapat talaga magkaroon ng hearing na ‘yan before the actual trial on July 6,” Diokno said.
The issue comes as uncertainty continues to surround the impeachment timetable due to ongoing leadership disputes within the Senate. However, prosecutors insist that political developments should not affect the merits of the case.
House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co dismissed suggestions that delays in the proceedings could benefit Duterte's defense team.
“I think ang further delay ay disadvantage din to the defense dahil gusto natin ‘yung mga ebidensya at sagot ni VP ng defense doon sa articles of impeachment na nanggaling sa citizens’ complaints ‘no at duly na process ng House Committee on Justice ay ma-dispense with na,” she said.
Diokno echoed that view, stressing that the outcome of the impeachment trial should ultimately depend on evidence rather than political maneuvering.
“I don’t see that what is happening in the Senate will be an advantage to the defense team. This is about the evidence,” he said.
Co added that moving forward with the trial is important not only for the prosecution but also for the defense and the institutions involved, as it would allow the allegations to be resolved through due process.
“Kaya ang gusto natin matapos na ang paglilitis para sa punot-dulo nito kung ano man ang alegasyon,” she said. “Ang pagtutuloy-tuloy ng paglilitis will be to the advantage of due process and all institutions facing these allegations.”
The latest development comes after Duterte submitted her answer to the Articles of Impeachment on June 1. The prosecution panel has described the filing as a “non-answer,” arguing that it failed to directly address the allegations raised against her.
Instead of filing a formal reply, prosecutors submitted a manifestation to the Senate on Monday, maintaining that Duterte’s response contained general denials and did not provide sufficient explanations to the accusations.
The House prosecution panel is now preparing its pre-trial brief, which is expected to be submitted on June 15. A pre-trial conference is tentatively scheduled for June 18, ahead of the planned opening of the impeachment trial on July 6.
As both sides await the next move from the Senate impeachment court, prosecutors say they remain ready to proceed with the case and present their evidence once trial begins.
Speaking on Monday, Diokno said Senate impeachment rules are clear that filing an answer to the Articles of Impeachment is only one part of the process. The respondent must also appear before the impeachment court during a hearing where their plea will be officially recorded.
“Kung titingnan po natin ‘yung rules of the Senate as an impeachment court, malinaw na nakalagay doon na aside from ‘yung utos na sagutin ni vice president ‘yung articles of impeachment, dapat din magkaroon ng isang hearing na haharap ng bise presidente sa impeachment court at doon malalaman kung ano ‘yung magiging plea niya kung halimbawa ayaw niyang pumunta then the automatic under the rules that will be considered as a plea of not guilty,” Diokno said.
According to him, if Duterte chooses not to attend the hearing, the Senate impeachment court will automatically enter a plea of not guilty on her behalf, allowing the case to proceed.
Diokno also pointed out that the rules provide another option for the respondent.
“On the other hand, the rules also provide that the respondent has the choice of entering a plea of guilty during that hearing,” he said.
The House prosecution panel expects the hearing for Duterte’s plea to take place before the formal start of the impeachment trial, which is tentatively scheduled for July 6. Under Senate rules, the impeachment court is expected to issue a writ of summons directing the vice president to appear.
“So inaantay din natin at kung magiging batayan natin ay ‘yung rules, dapat talaga magkaroon ng hearing na ‘yan before the actual trial on July 6,” Diokno said.
The issue comes as uncertainty continues to surround the impeachment timetable due to ongoing leadership disputes within the Senate. However, prosecutors insist that political developments should not affect the merits of the case.
House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co dismissed suggestions that delays in the proceedings could benefit Duterte's defense team.
“I think ang further delay ay disadvantage din to the defense dahil gusto natin ‘yung mga ebidensya at sagot ni VP ng defense doon sa articles of impeachment na nanggaling sa citizens’ complaints ‘no at duly na process ng House Committee on Justice ay ma-dispense with na,” she said.
Diokno echoed that view, stressing that the outcome of the impeachment trial should ultimately depend on evidence rather than political maneuvering.
“I don’t see that what is happening in the Senate will be an advantage to the defense team. This is about the evidence,” he said.
Co added that moving forward with the trial is important not only for the prosecution but also for the defense and the institutions involved, as it would allow the allegations to be resolved through due process.
“Kaya ang gusto natin matapos na ang paglilitis para sa punot-dulo nito kung ano man ang alegasyon,” she said. “Ang pagtutuloy-tuloy ng paglilitis will be to the advantage of due process and all institutions facing these allegations.”
The latest development comes after Duterte submitted her answer to the Articles of Impeachment on June 1. The prosecution panel has described the filing as a “non-answer,” arguing that it failed to directly address the allegations raised against her.
Instead of filing a formal reply, prosecutors submitted a manifestation to the Senate on Monday, maintaining that Duterte’s response contained general denials and did not provide sufficient explanations to the accusations.
The House prosecution panel is now preparing its pre-trial brief, which is expected to be submitted on June 15. A pre-trial conference is tentatively scheduled for June 18, ahead of the planned opening of the impeachment trial on July 6.
As both sides await the next move from the Senate impeachment court, prosecutors say they remain ready to proceed with the case and present their evidence once trial begins.
Jun 8, 2026
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